2004 BMW X5 4.8IS check oil

137n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Driving your X5 On bad roads When you are driving on bad roads,
there are a few points which you should
strictly observe — for your own safety,
for that of your passengers, and for the
safety of the vehicle:
Driving on unpaved terrain can
cause damage to the vehicle.<
>Always adapt the driving speed to the
road conditions. The rougher or
steeper the road surface is, the lower
the speed should be
>You can operate your vehicle on
uphill and downhill gradients with a
maximum slope of 50 %. If you want
to drive on uphill or downhill gradi-
ents of this kind, make sure before-
hand that the engine oil and coolant
levels are near the max mark. Refer
to pages 148 and 150.
Use the HDC Hill Descent Control on
steep downhill gradients, refer to
page 96.
It is possible to start off on gradients
of up to 32 %.
The permitted side tilt is also 50 %
>While driving, watch carefully for
obstacles such as rocks or holes. Try
to avoid these obstacles whenever
possible
>Please note that, for example on
crests and bumpy roads, the body
can make ground contact.
The ground clearance of the vehicle
is:
– 8 in/200 mm with up to four persons
– 7 in/180 mm fully loaded, without
self-leveling suspension
>Only drive through water up to a
maximum depth of 20 in/50 cm and
only at walking speed, making sure
not to stop in the process.
After leaving the water, press on the
footbrake gently several times while
driving at a low speed. The brake
applications will help to dry the
brakes, thus preventing a reduction in
braking performance caused by the
moisture.
Back onto paved road In recommending that you observe the
following points after driving on adverse
road surfaces, it is not as a beauty
treatment for your BMW. Instead, it is
intended for the maintenance of driving
safety:
>Clean the largest accumulations of
dirt from the body and check the
underbody for damage
>Clean mud, snow, ice etc. from the
wheels and tires and check the
wheels for damage
>Check to determine whether rocks,
gravel or accumulations of dirt on the
brake rotors and calipers could influ-
ence braking performance. Remove
all such foreign objects
>In order to clean the brake rotors,
apply the footbrake gently several
times while driving at a low speed.
Be sure that following traffic is not
endangered by this
>For cleaning the handbrake, apply
the lever slightly at approx. 25 mph/
40 km/h and continue to drive for
approx. 200 yards/200 meters, pro-
vided that traffic conditions allow you
to do so.

148n
Washer fluid Engine oilWindshield and headlamp washer
system Approximate capacity is 8.2 quarts/
7.8 liters.
Fill with water and — if required — with
the addition of a washer antifreeze,
according to manufacturer's recom-
mendations.
We recommend that you mix the
washer fluid before adding it to
the reservoir.<
Antifreeze agent for the washer
systems is inflammable. For this
reason, keep it away from sources of
flame and store it only in its original
containers. Store it so that it is inacces-
sible to children. Comply with the
instructions on the containers.< 530de298
Checking oil level 1. Park the vehicle on a level surface
2. Switch the engine off after it has
reached normal operating tempera-
ture
3. After approx. 5 minutes, pull the dip-
stick out and wipe it off with a clean
lint-free cloth, paper towel, or similar
material
4. Push the dipstick carefully all the way
into the guide tube and pull it out
again
5. The oil level should be in between
the two marks on the dipstick.
As with fuel economy, oil consumption
is directly influenced by your driving
style and vehicle operating conditions. 530us100
The oil volume between the two marks
on the dipstick corresponds to approx.
1.1 US quarts/1 liter. Do not fill beyond
the upper mark on the dipstick. Excess
oil will damage the engine.
X5 4.8is:
With a very sporty driving style, the
engine oil level should be at the upper
mark on the dipstick.530us205

152n
The BMW Maintenance System is
designed in such a way that it reliably
ensures the road safety and operating
reliability of the vehicle, keeping the
cost for you as low as possible.
Please keep in mind that regular main-
tenance is not only necessary for the
safety of your vehicle, but also plays a
significant role in maintaining the resale
value of the vehicle.
Service Interval Display Conventional systems rely solely on
distance traveled to determine when
service is due. The BMW Maintenance
System, on the other hand, began many
years ago to take the actual conditions
under which the vehicle is driven into
consideration. After all, different drivers 390us008
can accumulate mileage in very differ-
ent ways:
From the point of view of maintenance,
62,000 miles/100,000 km accumulated
in short-distance urban driving are not
the equivalent of the same distance
covered at moderate speeds in long-
distance highway travel.
The BMW Maintenance System
includes the Engine Oil Service and
Inspections I and II.
Determining the maintenance intervals
according to the actual loads on the
vehicle covers every kind of operating
situation. However, even those who
drive only short distances, significantly
less than 6,000 miles/10,000 km annu-
ally, should have the engine oil changed
at least every 2 years since oil deterio-
rates over time, regardless of use. Service and Warranty Information
Booklet for US models/Warranty
and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models For additional information on mainte-
nance intervals and procedures, please
refer to the Service and Warranty Infor-
mation Booklet for US models or the
Warranty and Service Guide Booklet for
Canadian models. As a precaution against corrosion, it is
advisable to have the body checked for
damage from rocks or gravel at the
same time, depending upon operating
conditions.
Have your BMW Sports Activity
Vehicle center do the mainte-
nance and repair.
Be sure that all maintenance work is
confirmed in the Service and Warranty
Information Booklet for US models or
the Warranty and Service Guide Book-
let for Canadian models.
These entries will constitute your proof
that the vehicle has received regular
maintenance. They are also required for
warranty claims.<
Car careFor all information on this subject, refer
to the Caring for your vehicle brochure.
The BMW Maintenance System

Everything from A to ZEngine
breaking-in 136
data 178
electronic circuitry 22
speed 76
starting 64
switching off 65
Engine compartment 147
Engine coolant 150
Engine hood 146
Engine oil 148
additives, refer to Adding
engine oil 149
filling capacity 181
indicator/warning lamp 19
specified oils 149
Engine oil level, indicator/
warning lamp 21
Engine oil pressure,
indicator/warning lamp 19
Engine oil thermometer 77
Engine output, refer to
Engine specifications 178
Engine specifications 178
Engine speed, refer to
Engine specifications 178
Environmentally friendly
driving, refer to Energy
Control 76ESP Electronic Stability
Program, refer to DSC
Dynamic Stability
Control 94
Exhaust system 138
Extended immobilizer
function 90
Exterior mirror
automatic dimming
feature 55
Exterior mirrors 54
F
Failure messages, refer to
Check Control 79
Failure of a current
consumer 169
False alarms, refer to
Avoiding unintentional
alarms 39
Fan
refer to Air
supply 107, 111
Fasten safety belts
warning lamp 21, 49
Fault displays, refer to Check
Control 79
Filter, refer to
Microfilter 108
Microfilter/activated-
charcoal filter 114First aid, refer to First-aid
kit 24
First-aid kit 24
Flashlight 119
Flat tire 163
Flat Tire Monitor 100
refer to Tire inflation
pressure 140
spare wheel 165
Flat Tire Monitor 100
indicator lamp 101
initializing 100
Flooding, refer to Water on
roads 137
Floor coverings, carpet, refer
to Caring for your vehicle
brochure
Floor mats, refer to Caring
for your vehicle brochure
Fluid level, indicator lamp 21
Fog lamps 104
indicator lamp 22
Folding rear backrest 124
Folding the floor cover
up 128
Footbrake, refer to Driving
notes 138
Footwell lamps 105
Front airbags 57
Front fog lamps 104
bulb replacement 161Fuel
average
consumption 82, 89
display 77
preparation, refer to
Engine specifications 178
quality 26
volume, refer to
Capacities 181
Fuel clock, refer to Fuel
gauge 77
Fuel display, refer to Fuel
gauge 77
Fuel filler door 24
manual operation 24
Fuel tank capacity, refer to
Capacities 181
Fuel-saving driving, refer to
Energy Control 76
Fuses 169
G
Garage-door opener, refer to
Integrated universal
remote control 116
Gasoline display, refer to
Fuel gauge 77
Gasoline, refer to Fuel
quality 26
Gear changes, refer to
Automatic transmission
with Steptronic 68